Succesful Town Hall: AFSCME on the Budget
Top legislative leaders from both parties in the State Senate and House met with more than 150 state employees on Saturday, February 28, during a Town Hall sponsored by AFSCME Arizona.
There was a frank discussion about budget cuts, layoffs and their impact on citizens.
First Step, First Real Dialogue Involving Employees
For the first time in recent memory, leaders from both parties and chambers spent time with state employees to discuss the ongoing budget cuts and sudden layoffs. Some of the employees attending had just received RIF (termination) notices.
The precedent-setting Town Hall was covered by CBS, Fox, NBC and local cable news.
Political Leaders Get Message: Employees Should be Contributors to Solutions, Not Victims
Republican Senate President Pro Tem Thayer Verschoor and House Majority Whip Andy Tubin, along with House Minority Leader David Lujan and Senator Meg Burton Cahill (both Democrats) candidly engaged in a question-and-answer exchange with employees from nearly every state agency. Sen. Debbie McCune Davis, a Democrat, also attended.
AFSCME Arizona presented a budget analysis and compared Arizona’s actions with other states. The well-researched explanation challenged legislators to let employees contribute to solving Arizona’s budget woes. Senator Verschoor and the other legislators welcomed state employee input and asked for supporting data to help the state make better decisions.
Join AFSCME to Raise our Employee Voices for Justice and to protect our jobs! AFSCME legislative action committee members are meeting now and having ongoing conversations with legislative leaders to save our jobs and protect services.
Arizona AFSCME Launches Lobby Effort
A state employee lobbying committee was formed by AFSCME Arizona with the support of many of those at the Town Hall to make sure employees are heard. Volunteers stepped up to lobby at the State Capitol and spread information to co-workers about the issues affecting employees and citizens.
Become part of the AFSCME Arizona Action Team! If you’d like more information, please contact us at (602) 252-6501 or info [at] azafscme [dot] org.
In solidarity,
Sheri Van Horsen
AFSCME Statewide Organizing Director and Local 3111 President